A Donor Story: Coffing Family

The act of donating blood is a profound way to give back to the community, and for one family, it's a tradition passed down through generations. For the first time, a grandmother, her daughter, and her granddaughter—Karen, Sarah, and Maggie—came together to donate blood at the Mayo Clinic, continuing a legacy of lifesaving donorship that began decades ago.

Karen, who has been donating since 1968, shared how this tradition started: "My mother began donating in 1959, and I followed in her footsteps after I turned 18. The first time I donated was in Rochester for a friend’s daughter who had been in an accident." Karen still holds her mother’s blood donor card, a cherished keepsake that shows the extent of this family's commitment and journey of helping others in a profound way.

Sarah emphasized how personal experiences have deepened her commitment to blood donation. "I have a teaching partner whose son has hemophilia, and seeing firsthand how blood donations help him made me more aware of the need. I realized just how many people rely on blood donors."

Maggie, the youngest of the trio, expressed her pride in carrying on this family tradition. "It’s always something I looked up to, going with them all the time. Knowing that I can help someone in the world this way is incredibly rewarding."

Their story is a powerful reminder of the impact that blood donation can have. As they inspire others to donate, they demonstrate that this life-saving act can become a meaningful family tradition, one that makes a difference not only in their own lives but also in the lives of countless others.